Wake up!
The night is here.
Writers,
Poets,
Romantics,
Mystics,
Lovers,
Dreamers,
Thinkers,
Lone riders,
Common man…
Wake up!
The night is calling you.
Night flowers,
Moon,
Stars,
Owls,
Nightingales,
Crickets…
Wake up!
Be the night.
Women
of all shapes and sizes,
Colors and ethnicity…
Wake up!
Don’t be shy.
Don’t be scared.
Don’t pretend to be asleep.
Step out, and claim your night!
You and I know
There’s a night beyond our balcony and rooftop.
Nights on the hilltops, beach sand, and meadows.
Nights on the roadside, treetops, and cafes.
Nights in libraries and observatories.
Nights beyond the glass ceilings.
Nights no one can gatekeep.
Let’s stargaze together, my moon child.
Our fingers interlocked, gazes steady, hearts fearless.
Let our beauty and strength bewitch the world.
Let our wildness and wanderlust set it aflame.
Still worried I don’t understand?
Trust me, I was scared too. I still am.
The first time I walked beyond the walls,
My body trembled in fear.
As the cold breeze tousled my hair,
Tears welled in my eyes,
And sweat drizzled down my neck,
Raising goosebumps.
I swear I thought the night winds would stop me
and ask my name or why I came.
But instead, she only asked:
“What took you so long?”
Author’s Note:
© Lirio Marchito. All rights reserved.
The poem “Stargazers” was originally written and first published on AllPoetry on March 1, 2019.
In 2021, a slightly revised and updated version appeared in the anthology Heavy Lies the Crown, curated by Paper Towns.
The current version is a significantly edited iteration of the 2021 version.
To learn more about the book ‘Heavy Lies the Crown,’ click the links below:
Lirio's Wanderings 